{"id":31946,"date":"2020-03-23T16:21:57","date_gmt":"2020-03-23T21:21:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/?p=31946"},"modified":"2020-09-11T20:40:03","modified_gmt":"2020-09-11T20:40:03","slug":"your-test-has-been-cancelled-so-what-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/kaplan\/your-test-has-been-cancelled-so-what-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Your test has been cancelled, so what now?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The voicemail from the testing center is garbled, but the message is clear: \u201cYour test will not be offered on such-and-such a date. Please go online to check your account…\u00a0<\/span>
\n\u201cIf a new test date and location has not been added to your account, you may call our 1-800 number. Note that we are experiencing heavy call volumes and unusually long wait times, so please be patient\u2026\u201d<\/span>
\nRight. <\/span>Patient <\/span><\/i>is the last thing you can be right now.\u00a0<\/span>
\nIf your test has been cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak, here are ten ways to stay sane\u2014and sharp\u2014as you grapple with this painful delay.<\/span>
\n 
\n

TOP 10 WAYS TO STAY SANE<\/h2>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n

1. Be okay with being upset (for at least a little while).<\/h3>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nThere\u2019s no sugar-coating this bitter pill. The test you\u2019ve been prepping for matters; it\u2019s high stakes. That\u2019s why you care. That\u2019s why you\u2019ve put in so much time, so much work, so many late nights and early mornings and stolen lunch breaks over weeks and months, to get ready.<\/span>
\nNormally, when you set a date for the official test, your test prep got real. It popped into focus. You built your game plan backwards from the test date and executed it to the best of your ability. You\u2019ve been running toward a finish line that seemed anchored in the ground.<\/span>
\nNow, however, the ground has shifted. Even if you\u2019ve gotten a new testing date and location, who\u2019s to say they won\u2019t also be moved? And you can\u2019t help wrestling with bigger, thornier questions: should you push off the test longer? Maybe a whole year? Who knows, maybe even do something else entirely with your life?<\/span>
\nThe answers are uncertain, as are many other things these days. This profound, widespread crisis is overturning all kinds of plans.<\/span>
\nIt is normal to be upset about this disruption. It\u2019d be strange <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> to be upset. So feel these feelings, and let them run their course. Little by little, they will subside.<\/span>
\n

2. Lean on your real social networks\u2014and a notebook.<\/h3>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nVent to a friend who\u2019s a great listener. You can still meet for coffee or a drink; just do it by Zoom, Hangouts, Skype, or a plain old phone call.\u00a0<\/span>
\nBe a little directive about what you want in the conversation. \u201cI\u2019m not looking for a lot of advice right now, I just need to vent\u201d is fine to say. In fact, it\u2019s better to say that up front, before your well-meaning friend offers you a slew of suggestions you\u2019re not ready to hear.<\/span>
\nAlso consider writing down how you\u2019re feeling. You might not be a regular journaler or think of yourself as extremely expressive on paper. That\u2019s fine. You\u2019re writing only to yourself.<\/span>
\nPsychologist Sian Bellock has studied how writing down private thoughts just before a big test helps performance on that test. The likely reason is that it helps you get a handle on those thoughts. Private writing works well at other stressful times, too, such as this one.<\/span>
\nConversely, be careful right now about venting in very <\/span>public<\/span><\/i> ways. Tweeting your anger to the world may feel good in the moment. But unless you want to drain your energy in battles with strangers, avoid the comments.<\/span>
\n

3. Be kind to yourself as you decide whether to stay the course or radically postpone the test.<\/h3>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nThis decision about further postponement is tough. There are no easy answers. It\u2019s okay to leave the question unresolved for now.<\/span>
\nIn the meantime, as you wrestle with what to do about your test and more generally your life path forward, practice \u201cself-compassion.\u201d Self-compassion is being as kind to yourself as you would be to a good friend.\u00a0<\/span>
\nIt sounds fuzzy, but according to lots of research, self-compassion helps you progress and maintain your motivation in the face of difficulties. It makes you more gritty and resilient. That\u2019s important in rough times like these.<\/span>
\nBeing kind and understanding to yourself doesn\u2019t mean avoiding introspection. Rather, beat yourself up less often. Don\u2019t <\/span>over<\/span><\/i>-interpret negative signals you may get about yourself (mistakes, criticisms) or <\/span>under<\/span><\/i>-interpret positive signals you get (successes, compliments).<\/span>
\n

4. Focus on what\u2019s in your control.<\/h3>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nThis bit of advice makes a good plaque for a wall. It\u2019s always worth remembering. But when the world seems to be spinning out of control, it\u2019s an even more crucial precept.\u00a0<\/span>
\nNarrow your attention and your intentions to what you can directly affect. The coronavirus has appeared, and your test has been postponed. These events were outside of your control.\u00a0<\/span>
\nWhat remains in your control is your response.<\/span>
\n\t
\t\t

\nLearn more<\/a>\u00a0about how COVID-19 is affecting tests and Kaplan courses.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n

5. Trust the process you\u2019ve already gone through.<\/h3>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nYou have prepared. That preparation is not going to go away in an instant.<\/span>
\nImagine two basketball teams that are about to play in the championship game of a tournament. The crowd has assembled, TV cameras are rolling, the ball is about to be tipped\u2026 and the lights go out. Power has been lost to the building.\u00a0<\/span>
\nIf the game is pushed to another day, would the teams totally forget their plays? Would the athletes suddenly get out of shape?<\/span>
\nNo. They\u2019d get some sleep and run a few focused practices. Meanwhile, the coaches would tell their teams, \u201cYou deserve to be here. Who cares about a power outage? Remember what got you here in the first place: hard work and preparation. Trust what you\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/span>
\nYou\u2019re in a similar boat as these basketball teams. Trust the work you\u2019ve put in. Yes, this postponement is a curveball, to change up the sports analogy. But whether you take the test now or later, your deep, fundamental training will hold up. Your brain isn\u2019t going anywhere.<\/span>
\n

6. Be positive about the big things and rigorous about the little things.<\/h3>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nTry to stay upbeat about the long term. Have faith that in the end, you will get to where you need to go.<\/span>
\nAnd now that you\u2019ve given yourself a dose of big-picture optimism, be realistic and rigorous about the little picture. Imagine those basketball coaches during the unforeseen delay: they\u2019re running drills, making a few adjustments to a couple of plays, keeping their players sharp.<\/span>
\nThe little things are what\u2019s in your control. As noted above, focus on them.<\/span>
\n

7. Regularly do ten-minute mini-tests.<\/h3>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nIf you plan to keep preparing to take the test soon, here\u2019s how to stay sharp.\u00a0<\/span>
\nTake a short set of test-like questions, mixed across topics, and do the whole set as if it were a miniature test. That is, do the set under time pressure, with no distractions, as if it were a slice of the real test.<\/span>
\nHow long should the mini-test be? Ten minutes is a great length. Long enough to simulate the choices you have to make on the real test, most importantly whether to stick with the question you\u2019re on or to move on. You should have to ask yourself, as the Clash put it, \u201cshould I stay or should I go?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>
\nBut the set should be short enough to analyze thoroughly afterwards and still finish within half an hour. That\u2019s short enough to fit both the test-taking and the analysis into an ongoing daily plan.\u00a0<\/span>
\nThink ten minutes of test-taking is too short? Stretch it to fifteen or twenty minutes. But you don\u2019t need more stamina right now. You need a high-intensity but short scrimmage. It should feel like a little part of a real game.<\/span>
\nIdeally, the questions are new. But it\u2019s fine to mix in questions you\u2019ve seen, or even construct the set entirely of such questions.<\/span>\t
\t\t

\nBuild prep into your routine until it’s second nature.
\nGet a question\u2014with a detailed answer explanation\u2014in your inbox every day, for free:
\nMCAT<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0GRE<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0GMAT<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0SAT<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0ACT<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0NCLEX<\/a>
\nUSMLE\u00a0Step 1<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0USMLE Step 2 CK<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0DAT<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0OAT<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0Bar<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0PANCE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n

8. Occasionally do targeted topical work. <\/h3>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nAs you analyze the results of these mini-tests, you should notice patterns. Where did you struggle, when push really came to shove? What kinds of questions did you frequently get wrong? What kinds of errors did you make? What particular topics deserve a quick revisit?<\/span>
\nArmed with this specific knowledge, you can then dive back into a limited amount of topically focused work.\u00a0<\/span>
\nDo not reopen the seals on every topic you ever studied, every kind of question you faced, etc. etc. Like Pandora, you will become overwhelmed if you open that box.<\/span>
\nThat\u2019s another reason why the mini-tests are an effective tool. They help you target narrow kinds of issues to go back to the textbooks for. Rework those issues, solve them, then come back to the timed mixed drills that simulate the test.<\/span>
\n

9. Even more occasionally, do a timed practice test.<\/h3>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nIt can be helpful to put a practice test on your calendar for three or four weeks out. That goal is near enough to work toward.\u00a0<\/span>
\nBut don\u2019t go digging up all your leftover practice tests and running them every other day. You\u2019ll burn out.\u00a0<\/span>
\nTake significant space between practice tests. First, analyze the results yourself question by question (including ones you got right, searching for opportunities to improve your speed or facility). That should take 1-2x the time of the practice test, if you\u2019re doing the analysis right.<\/span>\t
\t\t

\nGet Your Free Practice Test Now:
\nMCAT<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0LSAT<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0GRE<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0GMAT<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0SAT<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0ACT<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0NCLEX<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0USMLE<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0DAT<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0OAT<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0PCAT<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
\nThen you need to run a combination of the short mini-tests (as daily bread-and-butter practice) and highly targeted topical work. Do enough of that before the next practice test to make a difference. Otherwise, you\u2019ll get similar results.<\/span>
\nBy the way, it\u2019s fine if any one of these practice tests is one you\u2019ve done before. Don\u2019t worry much about the score. Focus on your game-time decisions, as you study the \u201cfilm\u201d of your performance, and determine what you could have done better (faster, more easily, and\/or more accurately) at each opportunity.<\/span>
\n

10. Remember the big picture.<\/h3>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nAs you execute this \u201cstay sharp\u201d plan, be sure to raise your gaze at times and remind yourself why you\u2019re doing all this.<\/span>
\nStay in touch with your big-picture reasons and goals. The test is just a means to those ends, and one day it will be in your past. As will this entire crisis.<\/span>
\nTake the test cancellation in stride as best you can. Stay oriented toward your long-term destination. You\u2019ll get there.<\/span>\t
\t\t

\nFor Educators\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Learn how<\/a> Kaplan can help support student success through distance learning.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The voicemail from the testing center is garbled, but the message is clear: \u201cYour test will not be offered on such-and-such a date. Please go online to check your account…\u00a0 \u201cIf a new test date and location has not been added to your account, you may call our 1-800 number. Note that we are experiencing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":31954,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[117],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31946"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31946"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31946\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33850,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31946\/revisions\/33850"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31954"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31946"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31946"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31946"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}